SAN MARCOS: A Palomar College report seeking accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges will soon be sent to the accrediting body.

When the community college's board of trustees approved the report Tuesday night, employees in the room clapped. Palomar has been working on the 400-plus page report since February 2007. Gaining accreditation is a major validation that can affect a community college's transfer credits, funding and grants.

The report will be mailed to the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges in January, and a team of evaluators is scheduled to visit Palomar in March to verify and validate the report, said Berta Cuaron, Palomar's assistant superintendent and vice president of instruction.

Palomar's accreditation status is expected to be announced in June, Cuaron said. The college is seeking a full term re-accreditation of six years. –L.L.